Sodexo's Future Chef Competition Winner Announced

Pictured: Students that competed in Sodexo’s Future Chef Competiton All photos by Nancy Sasso Janis

School administrators, teachers, cafeteria workers, parents and siblings came out in force on March 25, 2015 to support the five students from four Naugatuck elementary schools who competed in the district finals of Sodexo’s Future Chef Competition. This year the students prepared healthy snack recipes that were judged by a distinguished panel of judges.

The five fourth graders began preparing their recipes promptly at 4:00pm in the cafeteria kitchen at Naugatuck High School. Five members of the food services staff paired up with the young chefs and volunteered their time to assist with the preparation of the snacks. Parents were allowed into the kitchen as the food was prepared and snapped many pictures as the young chefs whipped up their masterpieces.

The nearby NHS cafeteria serving line area was set up with the judges table and a small table for each chef to display their masterpieces that was decorated with balloons. Healthy refreshments were available to those who attended while they waited to sample the five recipes. Each of the five competitors plated up a presentation dish, four judges plates, and numerous tasting cups for the spectators to sample.

The competition was sponsored by Sodexo, the company that administers the school cafeterias in the district, and is a national competition. The winner of the borough cook-off will go on to compete at the regional level. The final five chefs will have a video of themselves preparing their recipe posted on YouTube and viewers will vote for their favorite recipe.

When all five students had finished their preparation, they presented their snack to the five judges a la the reality show Top Chef.

Ella Gallino, a fourth grade student of Mrs. Troccolo at Salem School, made Apple Cinnamon Muffin Surprise. Spoiler alert: The healthy addition to the muffin was 1/2 cup of grated zucchini.

Valencia Bohn, who is in Mrs. MacDonald’s fourth grade at Salem School, invented Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies were made with oats, dates, banana and chocolate chips. Salem School principal Jennifer Kruge attended the competition to support the two students who attend her school.

Paige Caruso, from Mr. Luchene’s fourth grade at Western School, made Caramel Apple Wontons. Her creation was wonton wrappers filled with apples that were baked and drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Western School principal Brenda Goodrich was on hand to cheer on Ms. Caruso.

Kaylie Lindsay represented Hop Brook School with Fruit Enchiladas. This snack was made with fresh fruit wrapped in a soft tortilla and included a vanilla sauce. Ms. Lindsay is in Mr. Dietelbaum’s fourth grade. Hop Brook’s principal Kathy Taylor was in attendance to support her fourth grade student.

Leah Quijano, a student of Mrs. Pelkey at Maple Hill School, came up with Go Fish Soup. This snack featured tomato soup with rice accompanied by Goldfish crackers, pretzel sticks and cream cheese. Snackers were instructed to spread a dab of cream cheese on the end of a pretzel stick, pick up a Goldfish cracker and “bring the goldfish for a swim in the soup.”

The healthy snacks were judged by a panel of four adults, including Assistant Business Manager Bernice Rizk, Controller and Business Manager Bob Butler, Gym teacher Sean Warren and food lover and Burgess Rocky Vitale The recipes were judged on originality, healthy attributes, easy preparation, kid friendliness and plate presentation.

When the ballots were tallied, the four runner ups were announced in no particular order and awarded a medal. The winner was announced by Kate Murphy, Director of Food Services for the borough. Ms. Gallino’s Apple Cinnamon Muffin Surprise recipe was named as the ultimate snack. Chef Ella received a Fitbit in addition to her medal.

Thank you to Mrs. Murphy for her contributions to this post. Congratulations to all of the participants. Every snack was delicious and all the judges mentioned how difficult it would be to decide which one they liked best. Best of luck to the winning chef as she moves on to the regional competition.